The local BearSmart program is currently looking for help in reinstating the Karelian Bear Dog Program.

A BearSmart representative says that having this program in place increases safety for local residents.

“Our goal in bringing the Bear Dog Program back is to have a non-lethal but successful approach to safely keeping wildlife out of residential and rural areas like homesteads. The goal is that it's less impact on the wildlife and it's good for the communities to keep wildlife where they belong.

The representative also states that having animals in the area is unavoidable but that with the dogs in place, there will be less interaction with the public.

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“ In areas like ours where we live in a major wildlife corridor, it's expected that there's going to be bears, moose, cougars and all other types of wildlife. The dogs played a huge role in keeping those animals in their own habitat but at a safe distance and people were able to function safely as well.”

One way the BearSmart program is looking for help is letters of support for the bear dogs.

Anyone who is interested in signing a form letter is able to do so at the Pass Herald Office.

The representative of BearSmart says there are also other ways of sending letters.

“They can also email us at cnpbearsmart@gmail.com or phone us at 403-563-8723 and we will get them a letter if they would like that as well. People can write their own letters as well but these are an option for people who aren't sure what to write.”

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The letter writing process will continue until the BearSmart program receives word from the provincial government.

“I'm continuously sending letters in until Roger Reid tells me that we're done. As many as I can get as soon as I can get them is best but there isn't a set deadline so far. Right now we're focusing on the letters and as soon as he gives me the go ahead, we'll start bringing in media and we'll start making it more prominent again.”